Knox returned to the US before an appeal court threw out the acquittal and reinstated her and Sollecito's guilty verdicts last year.

Italy's Supreme Court in Rome is due to rule today if it finally upholds those convictions, which would put an end to eight years of courtroom twists and turns, or orders another appeal.

Knox, who is now 27, will not appear in court to see if her 28-year sentence is confirmed. Sollecito, 30, who has had his travel documents seized, was mobbed by journalists and camera crews as he made his way into court for final arguments and deliberations. He was sentenced to 25 years.

The Kercher family, who will not be in court today, have said that if Knox's conviction is confirmed they want authorities in the US to extradite her to Italy.

Kercher family lawyer Francesco Maresca said earlier: "The interest of the family is to arrive to the end of this trial. They want to be able to remember Meredith outside of the court room."

Knox said last year she would become a "fugitive" if convicted and would have to be taken back "kicking and screaming" to Italy.

If her conviction is upheld she could delay going to jail if she were pregnant, according to Italian legal experts.

There has also been speculation that political pressure from the US could hamper the extradition process.

Sollecito is reportedly seeking to separate his case from Knox's, with his lawyers pointing out that a partial confession written by the American and later retracted did not mention his presence at the scene of the crime.